An everchanging aspect of Elizabeth Olsen's Wanda Maximoff is one of her most distinctive: her accent, or lack thereof.
When the character debuted in Avengers: Age of Ultron, Maximoff was fresh from Sokovia, the fictional Eastern European country she and her brother Pietro were raised in. In the film, both Maximoff twins had distinctive accents that set them apart from the largely American Avengers.
By the time she stood beside Steve Rogers in Captain America: Civil War, however, her accent was quite diminished. Some fans felt the reduction of the accent—which continued in subsequent films like Avengers: Infinity War—took something away from the character. Her voice and the way she speaks are just as much a part of her as the powers awakened by the Mind Stone, after all.
Elizabeth Olsen recently spoke about the accent issue and how the Scarlet Witch will sound in her next on-screen appearance.
THE ACCENT IS BACK IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS
Speaking with Rolling Stone, Olsen shared some insight into how Wanda's accent has developed across her appearances. She noted the accent change "started with Civil War."
So that started with Civil War. The Russos [directors Anthony and Joseph Russo] said, “Can she just have a softer accent, because she’s been in America, and has to have been speaking English more.” So I was like, sure.
While her accent disappeared completely in the fantasized American sitcom world seen in WandaVision, Olsen explained that the change is one of Wanda's own making "because she’s trying to hold on to an American sitcom world and play the part the best she can."
Fans who were glad to hear the accent used again when outside the Westview anomaly can rejoice, as Olsen said Wanda will go back "to an accent that is more true to her."
I do have to say that in [Wanda’s next appearance, in 2022’s] Dr. Strange [in the Multiverse of Madness], after the experience she has in WandaVision, she goes back to an accent that’s more true to her. Now that I feel a little bit more ownership of the character, I feel like she does retreat back to having this more honest expression.
ELIZABETH OLSEN OWNS HER CHARACTER
Wanda's accent was handled excellently in WandaVision, both in terms of being true to the character as well as helping create a distinctive difference between the sitcom world and the one outside. Having Wanda switch from the idealized mannerisms she was mimicking to a more raw accent—like when facing Director Hayward for the first time—helped to convey her investment in keeping the fantasy alive.
It's great to see that Elizabeth Olsen feeling more comfortable as Wanda and taking ownership of the character. Actors who give their all can create truly incredible on-screen experiences, and Olsen doesn't seem to be slowing down in delivering hard-hitting moments. She excellently portrayed what Wanda was going through in WandaVision, and her investment in the character ensures she'll follow it up spectacularly in Doctor Strange.
Viewers' last glimpse of Wanda in WandaVision was seeing her embrace her new powers as the Scarlet Witch and delving into the Darkhold, presumably to find a way to restore her twins in the real world. Her willingness to delve into what Agatha Harkness called "the book of the damned" will likely play a big part in setting up the events of Doctor Strange sequel.
It'll be great to hear Olsen speaking as Wanda's true self when Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Magic teleports into theaters on March 25, 2022.
